MOSSYROCK — It’s no secret that when the Mossyrock offense flows through Erin Cournyer, they tend to have success.
Thursday was no different, as Cournyer led the team in both kills and assists to lift the Vikings to a 25-14, 27-25, 25-12 win over Pe Ell.
“She’s our team captain, and there’s a reason,” Mossyrock coach Alex Nelson said. “She has the full package and is a very good player.”
Heading into the game, Nelson said that the team was working on being more patient and explosive through the ball, and Cournyer was up to the challenge. She ended up with 20 assists, 12 kills, four digs and four aces.
“I don’t always talk her up because every night she does that,” Nelson said. “I’m just accustomed to that. That’s what I want to see from her all the time.”
While Cournyer was the focal point of the Mossyrock offense on Thursday, she was far from the only one to have success.
Chesney Schultz and Saydi Mendoza combined for 12 kills, while Delaney Marshall dished out 12 assists. With Cournyer and Marshall leading the way, the Vikings had 33 assists as a team, something that Nelson said is key to their offensive success.
“That’s what makes us play well,” Nelson said. “When we play well, it’s because we’re passing well.”
As a result, points came in droves early for the Vikings (11-3, 10-0 1B Columbia Valley), who raced out to a 12-4 lead after an 8-0 run. While Pe Ell was able to claw within striking distance later in the set, Mossyrock put it out of reach and ended the set on a 7-0 run.
The Trojans (7-6, 4-5 1B Columbia Valley) had their most success in the second set, operating the offense at a high level and capitalizing on Mossyrock mistakes.
Late in the set, the Trojans had a 22-19 lead and twice were one point away from tying the match at one set each, but the Vikings were able to climb back on top and finish the job.
The third set closely resembled the first, with the Vikings using a 10-0 run late in the set to put the game out of reach.
While the Trojans struggled in the first and final set, Pe Ell coach Eddi Peterson was pleased with the fight she saw from them.
“We have been playing really well and tonight didn’t disappoint at all,” Peterson said. “We continued our scrappy play and played to our potential.”
Next week, both teams will wrap up league play and the regular season. The Trojans will play on three straight days, beginning on Monday when they’ll host Firm Foundation at 7 p.m.
Mossyrock’s match at Willapa Valley that was originally scheduled for Thursday has been moved up to Monday at 7:15 p.m.
